Get ready to wow your friends and family this holiday season with an irresistible Christmas & Cream Spread! This festive appetizer is the perfect blend of creamy, tangy, sweet, and savory—plus it takes almost no time to assemble. Combining velvety cream cheese with a jewel-toned cranberry topping full of crunchy pecans and a drizzle of honey, this spread is pure holiday magic. Whether you set it out for a cozy gathering or make it the star of your party table, Christmas & Cream Spread is truly a crowd-pleaser everyone will remember.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—every ingredient brings something essential, whether it’s color, texture, or a burst of flavor. Let’s talk about why each one matters so much in making this Christmas & Cream Spread so special.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese creates a rich, creamy base that perfectly balances the sweet-tart topping.
- Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce: This brings both jewel-like color and tangy-sweet flavor that makes the spread instantly festive.
- Dried Cranberries (chopped): Added for a chewy texture and an extra punch of tart-sweetness—plus they look gorgeous!
- Pecans (toasted & chopped): Toasted pecans add a warm, buttery crunch that gives each bite wonderful contrast.
- Green Onions (chopped): These offer a gentle bite and burst of green color, making everything taste fresher.
- Honey: Just a spoonful mellows the tang and ties the flavors together with golden, floral sweetness.
- Crackers or Sliced Baguette: The finishing touch—a sturdy base for scooping up every delicious bite.
How to Make Christmas & Cream Spread
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Base
Start by placing your softened cream cheese on your favorite serving plate. If you’re feeling fancy, you can shape it into a neat round or rectangle for a more polished look. The idea is to give the cranberry mixture a soft, luscious surface to cascade over—don’t worry if it’s not perfectly shaped, a little rustic charm is always welcome during the holidays!
Step 2: Mix the Cranberry Topping
In a small bowl, gently stir together the whole berry cranberry sauce, chopped dried cranberries, toasted pecans, green onions, and honey. Make sure everything is evenly coated and combined. The cranberries will add sparkle while the nuts provide irresistible crunch and the honey brings it all together with just a hint of sweetness.
Step 3: Assemble the Spread
Spoon the glorious cranberry mixture generously over the cream cheese, spreading it into a thick, colorful layer. The topping should cover the surface but let a rim of cream cheese peek through for visual appeal. It’s completely fine if it drips over the sides a bit—it just adds to the inviting look!
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Serve your Christmas & Cream Spread straight away with your favorite crackers or slices of baguette. Watch as family and friends gather around, eager to dive into this irresistible combination of flavors and textures!
How to Serve Christmas & Cream Spread
Garnishes
If you want your Christmas & Cream Spread to look truly swoon-worthy, sprinkle a few extra toasted pecans or sliced green onions on top just before serving. A flourish of fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme can also add even more color and aroma.
Side Dishes
The spread pairs beautifully with other classic holiday snacks—think mixed nuts, crisp veggie sticks, or a platter of aged cheeses. It’s also stellar alongside a light salad or a festive soup for a cozy Christmas meal starter.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to have fun with presentation! Shape the cream cheese into a wreath, star, or even a little Christmas tree for a playful nod to the season. Present it on a rustic wooden board surrounded by crackers and fresh fruit for a showstopping centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra Christmas & Cream Spread (it disappears quickly!), simply cover the plate tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days, making it an excellent make-ahead option for busy holiday schedules.
Freezing
While the spread is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the cranberry-pecan topping separately if you’re prepping in advance. For best results, store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to one month. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge, then spoon over freshly softened cream cheese.
Reheating
This is a no-cook, cold spread, so there’s no need to reheat! If the assembled Christmas & Cream Spread has been chilled, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving. This brings out the flavors and ensures the cream cheese is perfectly spreadable.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cranberry sauce instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade cranberry sauce (as long as it’s chunky, not too thin) works beautifully and adds a personal touch. Just make sure it’s fully cooled before mixing with the other topping ingredients.
What’s the best way to toast pecans?
Place chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat and stir frequently for 3-5 minutes, until they’re fragrant and lightly browned. Watch closely—they can go from toasty to burned quickly!
How far in advance can I assemble the Christmas & Cream Spread?
You can assemble the spread a few hours before your guests arrive—just cover with plastic wrap and chill. Wait until serving time to add fresh garnishes for the best color and texture.
Can I make this spread nut-free?
Of course! Simply leave out the pecans. If you want to replace the crunch, try roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds for a similar texture.
Is there a way to make the spread lower in fat?
You can certainly use reduced-fat or light cream cheese in place of regular. The taste will still be lovely and the cranberry topping brings plenty of flavor to keep it satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Christmas & Cream Spread is one of those magical appetizers you’ll turn to year after year—easy to prepare, stunning to look at, and joyfully festive in every bite. If you’ve been hunting for a new holiday classic, give this recipe a try; your loved ones will be asking for it again and again!
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Christmas & Cream Spread Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive and flavorful Christmas & Cream Spread that combines the creamy richness of cream cheese with the tartness of cranberries, the crunch of pecans, and the freshness of green onions. Perfect for holiday gatherings and easy entertaining.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese:
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
Cranberry Mixture:
½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce, ¼ cup chopped dried cranberries, ¼ cup chopped pecans (toasted), 2 tablespoons chopped green onions, 1 tablespoon honey
For Serving:
Crackers or sliced baguette
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese: Place the softened cream cheese on a serving plate or shape it into a small round or rectangle.
- Make Cranberry Mixture: In a small bowl, stir together the cranberry sauce, chopped dried cranberries, toasted pecans, green onions, and honey until well combined.
- Assemble Spread: Spoon the cranberry mixture over the cream cheese, spreading it evenly.
- Serve: Serve immediately with crackers or sliced baguette.
Notes
- This spread can be made a few hours in advance; just cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Try swapping pecans for walnuts or adding a pinch of orange zest for a citrus twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
